Testing videotape education for heart failure.

This pilot study tested a videotape intervention designed to improve patient self-management of heart failure (HF). Content of the video series (produced professionally under a federal grant) is based on national, scientifically validated guidelines for HF home management. Outcomes tested were HF knowledge, symptom reporting, and functional status. Participants were 10 newly diagnosed HF patients (mean age 67). After viewing the tapes, data indicated participants had a clinically relevant improvement in HF knowledge, and improved or maintained HF health status. None were rehospitalized during the 60-day follow-up period. One patient contacted his/her physician to report weight gain, as prompted by the videotapes. The cost data indicated that patients paid $177 out of pocket monthly for medications and all were low income. These results indicate the need for further testing of the videotape as a potentially cost-effective method of teaching about HF self-management and daily home self-monitoring.